Textiles, Communication and Politics

32nd Annual Conference

7 Nov - 9 Nov 2014

Wellcome Centre
Euston Road, London

Our 32nd conference, which takes place over the weekend of Rememberance Sunday, in the centenary year of the First World War, will explore the theme of textiles and politics.

Saturday will feature a number of papers that explore different aspects of this fascinating topic.

Friday morning features a study vist to the Fashion and Textile Museum (this event is now fully booked) and Sunday morning has a visit to the William Morris Gallery.

The Society AGM takes place on Friday afternoon along with one speaker (both free). There's conference dinner on Friday evening at 7.30 at Searcys, St. Pancras

Details

The political nature of textiles can be evidenced through cloth past and present, from many different cultures. Through textiles we communicate personal and social narratives and engender cultural identity. Textiles can be the conduit to bring people together in society, revealing shared values and concerns. Textiles can commemorate events and act as propaganda or social commentary, they can tell our stories and shape our ideas. The history of textiles is highly politicised. Textiles are part of a hierarchical value system where high and low art distinctions are drawn between fine art and craft, where textiles and gender are inextricably linked. Textiles have served the political purpose of institutions and individuals but also challenged them.

Visit to FTM (Sorry, now fully booked)

Friday 7th Novemeber, 11am

83 Bermondsey St,London SE1 3XF.
Guided tour of the ‘Watts of Westminster’ exhibition, By curator Mary Schoeser, President of the Textile Society and a lecture on connections between the Wardle family of Leek and Watts by Dr Brenda King. All day access to the museum, including the Knitwear: Chanel to Westwood exhibition.
(Maximum 20 people).